Likoni leaders forge alliance to foster peace and security

Kenya Peace and Security Support Initiative (KEPSSI) chairman Ibrahim Ng’ang’a who has spent years advocating for peace and zero crime rate in Mombasa said a crime-free Mombasa is key to the progress of the economy.

He said community participation and use of digital platforms to report crime is key.

"Community participation in peace and security efforts is critical for progress and this is what many stakeholders have always fought to achieve in Mombasa and its environs," he said.

The stakeholders emphasized the need to put more effort into recognizing the needs of young people, and the influence they have on the trajectory of the coastal region, as a critical component for sustainable peace and security.

The new drive comes at a time when religious bodies and non-governmental organizations including KEPSSI have been fighting to help end the perennial problem and issue of drugs and illicit brews that have continued to pose a major challenge to security.

The organization has been involved in numerous peace, security and development activities in Mombasa and other parts of Coast region in trying to bring together members of different religions and ethnic backgrounds to coexist in peace and harmony

KEPSSI has previously laid out plans to deliberately help improve relations between the police and communities and to enable them work together in a sustainable and conflict-free way

“We want to find common and collective solutions to community safety and security concerns in Mombasa,” Ng'anga said.

He added that with the right intelligence, awareness, sensitization, constant dialogues, capacity building and information sharing, the war on terror can be won in a big way.

“This will go a long way in defusing or countering further radicalization and terror activities at an early stage,”

The multi- agency team has encouraged the public not to shy away from sharing reports that will help reduce crime, alcohol and drug abuse, sexual and gender based violence, radicalization and recruitment into violent extremism.

A 2022 World Bank report indicates that Mombasa’s history, culture, and current challenges tend to reflect those of the entire former Coast Province, including the counties of Lamu, Kilifi, and Kwale.

The report cited poverty as the most significant causal factor of crime and violence with the most  commonly mentioned being  stealing, followed by possession of illicit brew, robbery, and assault.

There are several gangs operating in Mombasa. In December 2016, the Ministry of the Interior banned 90 gangs by name, including some based in the coastal area (Muriuki 2016).

Grain Bulk handlers who are part of the new peace initiative have been prominent in trying to help reach out to families affected by crime related activities.

They are now planning to extend their community based activities beyond Mombasa.

Early this year, Mombasa County Commissioner (CC) Abdrisack Jaldesa put on notice street families and beggars who took advantage of the holy month of Ramadhan to crowd Mombasa streets.

Coast residents have consequently been urged to continue maintaining peace and tranquility to help restore parity in the dwindling tourism sector.

In August, there were wild reports of increased criminal activities in Likoni and its environs.

The Mombasa and Likoni areas have been having challenges with security at the top of the pyramid.

Partners like grain Bulk were lauded for their immense support in the community.